Hulu and Marvel Announce ‘Runaways’ TV Series

Back when Marvel was planning their cinematic universe, Phase 1 was set to have a live-action Runaways film. It was planned for release in 2012, but it was postponed so they could concentrate on The Avengers. Kevin Feige has constantly mentioned that they had a great script for a potential film but, in an interesting development, the property is now set for the TV treatment instead.

Deadlineis now reporting that Hulu have secured the series, following a year of negotiations with the heads of Marvel TV. This comes just days after the streaming service followed Netflix by establishing a paid subscription model. Now they’re following their lead in to the Marvel CinematicUniverse… possibly.

There’s no confirmation that the show, which is being ran by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, will be part of the wider universe. However, given that Marvel owns the property and hasn’t yet made a live-action series outside the MCU, it’s highly likely to be set in that world.

Runaways is based on a group of six teenagers who don’t quite see eye to eye, but nonetheless unite to use their powers to take down a common enemy; their parents, who they discover are actually members of an evil organisation called The Pride. It sounds like the perfect recipe for a coming of age story, and it could well be Marvel’s answer to the current Young Adult film boom.

However, it seems like Marvel TV has been looking to find a new home for this for a while now, as they’ve gone a different route from their Defenders programmes. From the report it seems like Runaways is very creator-driven – Savage and Schwartz previously produced The O.C and Gossip Girl, two coming of age series on The CW. Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb said:

“We’ve known the Runaways‘ story would make great television and being lucky enough to have Josh and Stephanie, who have time and again created shows that speak so genuinely to this exact audience, write and produce the series is nothing short of remarkable.”

No release date has been announced yet for Runaways, but it looks like MCU fans will have to add another subscription service in the near future.

Image via Marvel Comics

Posted By

Aaron Rogan

Decided to take up journalism to hide the fact I'm secretly a super powered alien from Krypton. Turns out I'm not that good at keeping secrets. When I'm not writing about films, TV or sport I'm most likely watching films, TV or sport.